The Masterpieces of the Centennial International Exhibition, An Illustrated Three-Volume Catalogue

THE MASTERPIECES OF THE CENTENNIAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. (3) volumes. Philadelphia: Gebbie & Barrie, [ca. 1876]. Hardcover. Original half brown leather over gilt-stamped pebbled cloth-covered boards, spines lettered and decorated in gilt and with raised bands, with marbled endpapers, and all edges marbled. Illustrated catalogue. 4to; xii, 366; x, 521, [1]; clxxxvi, 375, [1]pp. Including: Vol. I Fine Art by Edward Strahan; Vol. II. Industrial Art by Prof. Walter Smith; Vol. III History, Mechanics, Science by Joseph M. Wilson. Each with half-title, engraved frontispiece, extra title page, and numerous illustrations.

The lot also includes a related pamphlet from another important fair, a single sheet folded advertising G. Ward Cook's World's Fair Tours in October 1893; describing an itinerary leaving from and returning to Boston, staying for one week at the World's Inn on the Midway Plaisance, and visiting cities such as Philadelphia, Washington, Niagara Falls, and Montreal along the way.

Each 11 5/8 x 8 7/8 in.

A Private North Carolina Collection

Boards with rubbing and light scuffing, wear to corners, and spines with light chipping, creasing, and an occasional small tear at ends; occasional tiny wormhole and vol. I with additional insect damage at front hinge; first two volumes with wear to gutter and endpapers and half-title slightly loose; all volumes with previous owner's name and location in purple on front free endpaper; interiors with toning, scattered foxing, spotting, marks, and grime, occasional staining, and infrequent handling wear such as a small edge tear; vol. II with significant offsetting on pgs. 140-141; sturdy volumes that are overall about very good. Pamphlet very good with horizontal folds, expected light creases, a couple of closed tears, minor grime, and one small corner stain.